This Garlic Bread recipe is a gem! It is incredibly simple to prepare, but the flavor is exceptional. The secret is in the
roasted garlic; its mild sweetness and nutty depth take the flavor to a whole new level. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer!
How to Make Pan de Ajo
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Roasted Garlic
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Trim off ½ inch from garlic tops, peel off loose outer layers.
- Toss garlic in olive oil, salt, pepper, roast covered in foil for 1 hour.
- Let cool slightly, squeeze cloves out of skins and mash into paste.
Garlic Bread
- Make garlic butter by combining mashed garlic, softened butter, herbs, salt, pepper, and cheese.
- Cut bread in half horizontally.
- Spread garlic butter over cut sides of bread.
- Bake wrapped in foil at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
- Unwrap and bake 10-15 minutes more until crisp.
- (Optional) Top with cheese and bake until melted. Slice and serve.
Camila's Tips & Variations
- Use fresh garlic cloves for a more pronounced and vibrant flavor.
- Make sure the butter it's at room temperature before mixing with the garlic and herbs; this allows for easier blending.
- Garlic bread should be garlicky! Don't be shy with the garlic—it's the star of the dish.
- You can keep the garlic paste in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container,
See More Bread Recipes:
📖 Recipe
Easy Pan de Ajo
This Garlic Bread recipe is a gem! It is incredibly simple to prepare, but the flavor is exceptional. The secret is in the roasted garlic; its mild sweetness and nutty depth take the flavor to a whole new level. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer!
Tools
- Bread Knife
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic:
- 4 whole garlic bulbs
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Pan de Ajo:
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper , optional
- 1 -½ sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter , softened
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan ,
- 1 large soft Italian or French bread loaf Cut the bread horizontally in half
Instructions
Roasted Garlic
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Peel the outer layers off, keeping individual clove skins on. Cut ½ inch from the top of the cloves, exposing them.
- Place the garlic in a pan, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil, and bake for 1 hour until soft.
- After cooling slightly, squeeze the cloves out of their skins and mash them with a fork to form a paste.
Garlic Bread
- Combine the mashed garlic, softened butter, dried herbs, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
- Cut the bread horizontally in half.
- Spread the garlic butter over the bread's cut sides.
- Wrap in foil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. Unwrap and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until crisp.
- Optionally, top with cheese and bake just until the cheese melts. Slice and serve.
Notes
Store
Storing is not recommended, as it tastes best when served fresh.
Make Ahead & Freeze
Follow the recipe for garlic bread up until spreading the butter mixture on the bread. Instead of baking, wrap the bread tightly in aluminum foil and seal it inside a freezer bag, removing all air. Store it in the freezer for up to three months.
When ready to serve, bake the garlic bread directly from the freezer in a preheated oven at 400°F, still wrapped in foil, for about 15 minutes. Then, open the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes until crisp.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Pan de Ajo
Amount per Serving
Calories
435
% Daily Value*
Fat
32
g
49
%
Saturated Fat
19
g
119
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
8
g
Cholesterol
33
mg
11
%
Sodium
413
mg
18
%
Potassium
153
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
31
g
10
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
18
g
20
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
396
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
47
mg
5
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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